KAIMUKI, Hawaii (KHON2) — Hundreds of residents around Oahu walked Waialae Ave on Saturday, Nov. 30 to support local businesses during the annual Keep It Kaimuki Saturday event.
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Shoppers visited the main hub at Aliiolani Elementary School on 7th Ave for the Keep It Kaimuki Maker’s Market.
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“This day is huge for us just to celebrate what we do, what we make, who we are, and to see that community support means everything I see,” said Summer Shiigi, Partner of Keep It Kaimuki and owner of Ten Tomorrow and Daily Whisk Matcha.
Businesses along Waialae Ave also flooded with new and returning shoppers, as the event also provided free trolleys to travel up and down the Waialae from Goodwill to City Mill.
“It really helps to spread everyone out to the neighborhood so that they can enjoy not just this hub, but every store and business in the neighborhood,” explained Jordan Lee, Founder of Keep It Kaimuki and owner of The Public Pet.
According to Lee, events like these encourage the year-round mindset to shop small and support the local community.
Both Lee and Shiigi gave special thanks to Hawaii State Federal Credit Union for being a Kaimuki supporter and for their help in putting the event together.
“We’re so excited to be in the community of Kaimuki and be exposed to all these wonderful vendors, businesses, family, friends, all here,” said Denise Locquiau, Hawaii State FCU Kaimuki Branch Operations Section Manager.
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The event also featured live entertainment, the lighting of the tree and a free concert at the Puu O Kaimuki Mini Park.